Case Studies

Experience

WhiteStone: A Masonic and Eastern Star Community, Greensboro, NC

Business Opportunity: Repositioning of Current Facilities; Expansion Project; Construction Financing

Business Profile

WhiteStone is a not-for-profit, entrance fee Life Plan Community (formerly known as a Continuing Care Retirement Community or CCRC) with 125 Independent Living units and 100 licensed beds (88 Skilled Nursing and 12 Dementia Care). The community was established in 1912, the oldest Life Plan Community in North Carolina, as a Masonic and Eastern Star community, located on 42 acres. The property was self-managed by the sponsor until 2006, when the board of directors hired Life Care Services™, An LCS Company, as the contract manager. The community was the first Masonic Fraternal Home in the United States created solely for the caring of the elderly. In 2007, the board of directors made several strategic decisions to reposition the community in the marketplace. First, they decided to allow people without fraternal affiliation to enter the community. Second, they decided to reposition the campus by enhancing the apartment offering with larger apartments with expected in-apartment amenities. It was also in 2007 that the community started to realize the full benefits of independent management by Life Care Services. In addition, the community has a long and productive relationship with both the North Carolina Masonic Foundation and the North Carolina Eastern Star Foundation. Each foundation has made annual contributions to the community in support of its charitable mission. The community also receives significant gifts from Masonic lodges and Eastern Star chapters, as well as individuals.

Business Situation

Prior to undertaking the expansion, WhiteStone’s board made the decision to shore up core operations. By doing so, the community’s credit profile improved significantly. With the leadership of LCS, WhiteStone recognized an improvement of nearly $3.4 million in the 5-year period ending December 31, 2010. In 2007, the corporation began the process for planning a substantial renovation and expansion of the community in order to:

Modernize apartment amenities for services

Improve accessibility

Replace aging buildings and infrastructure

Increase financial reserves and operating income

Expand charitable mission

Initial marketing efforts at the community were successful; however, as with many Life Plan Communities and housing-related projects in 2008 and 2009, there were delays primarily from economic conditions beyond the community’s control. The board of directors understood the economic reality of the market, and realized that the plans for renovations and expansion needed to be reconsidered and financing identified.

Business Solution

The goal was to reinvigorate sales by significantly enhancing the marketability of the community through managed repositioning efforts and strategic expansion. The recommendations included a revised scope to the expansion and renovation project to create a “new front door” to the community. The intent was to improve the market appeal of the community, and to secure a proposal for financing the project. The proposal included:

Recommendation to invest pre-finance seed capital to fully renovate the Linville Administration building to create a new clubhouse

Setting stage and vision for remainder of the project

Funding with seed capital from the Masonic Foundation

Creation of a fitness center

Addition of 46 Independent Living apartments

Addition of 6 Independent Living homes

New multipurpose room

Second dining venue

Renovation of existing building and common areas

To prevent escalation of costs, recommendation to securing construction bids early

Positive Outcomes

The project is moving forward as planned and on time. Specific outcomes include:

Fitness Center completed in March 2010

Six independent living houses completed in Fall 2010

The Linville Administration building, “The New Front Door and Clubhouse,” was completed January 2011 with innovative design that included (a) a new entryway with on-grade access without stairs, (b) a new marketing and administrative suite, (c) a library, (d) activity room, (e) resident store and game room, (f) additional parking, (g) combination of certain apartments, (h) new heating and cooling system, and (i) a new roof

Awarded “Best in Class” by Long-Term Living Magazine

The Clubhouse renovations added the catalyst to create sales

The community is 100% sold and has 30 names on its waiting list

By securing an early construction bid, WhiteStone recognized approximately $6 million in cost savings that was used to reduce debt, add amenities and reduce entrance fees